Puja Shah’s For My Sister explores global issues of trafficking, gender violence, and poverty through the story of twin sisters whose resilience inspires hope for change. Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri speaks with the author.

Puja Shah’s award-winning novel For My Sister sheds light on global issues like human trafficking, gender violence, generational poverty, and caste-based oppression. Through the compelling story of twin sisters Amla and Asya, the book portrays the harrowing realities faced by millions of women and children worldwide. Set in India, the narrative blends authenticity with heartfelt storytelling, offering readers an emotional journey that raises awareness about systemic challenges. With themes of sisterhood, and empowerment, For My Sister aims to inspire meaningful conversations and spark change, making it a must-read for advocates of women's rights and social justice.  

Trafficking and Gender Violence as Global Realities

Trafficking, gender violence, generational poverty, and oppression against women are at the core of Puja Shah’s debut novel For My Sister. In an era where many new writers gravitate toward mythology and fantasy, Puja boldly addresses real-life concerns through the story of sixteen-year-old twins, Amla and Asya. Their lives change dramatically after their mother’s illness and their father’s financial collapse. Vulnerable and desperate, they fall prey to human traffickers and are sold to a ruthless woman in India’s largest sex market.

The novel, which has won four major awards in the US, is now being published in India by Om Books International. Drawing from her background in dental medicine, yoga, meditation, and poetry, Puja Shah brings her multidisciplinary vision to this compelling narrative. On the eve of the book’s release on February 9th, she spoke to Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: What prompted you to write For My Sister? Was there a tipping point that made you feel you had to tell this story?

Puja Shah: A number of years ago, I was doing healthcare work through nonprofits in Uganda and India. Both organizations had girls’ education tied to their mission. I loved hearing the stories of the girls I met—stories of child marriage, generational poverty, gender discrimination, and trafficking fears. I had been working on a collection of short stories inspired by these themes. The tipping point came when I had my own daughter. I knew I had to finish the story, which eventually turned into the book, if I wanted to see change in the world for her.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: What made you want to deal with trafficking as the central theme, addressing other issues women face around it?

Puja Shah: The story of Amla and Asya poured out of my heart. As I researched, I learned that trafficking is a global issue, with over 40 million people being sold worldwide today. Most of them are women and children. I felt it was crucial to address this issue and the interconnected web of challenges surrounding it.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Having grown up in the US, were you concerned about how authentic your depiction of trafficking and gender issues in India might be?

Puja Shah: I spent many trips to India as a child, and though it wasn’t my home, it felt like one. As an adult, my time working with nonprofits helped me understand that even people living in their own countries sometimes turn away from difficult social issues. My guiding light was to face these topics with courage and use my voice to spark change.

I remember being deeply moved by the rape and murder case of a doctor in Kolkata. Women around the world were in tears. I thought of my own residency days and wondered if any woman is truly safe, even in her own home.

To ensure accuracy, I had the novel reviewed by officers of a nonprofit that works in Kolkata with trafficked women and girls. We had long phone conversations to verify details and ensure the story reflected on-the-ground realities.

Global and Systemic Perspectives on Gender Issues

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Was there a fear that your novel might be perceived as a Western exoticization of Indian practices? How did you navigate this?

Puja Shah: Not at all. Trafficking isn’t an Indian practice—it’s a global issue. Generational poverty, gender violence, and child marriage are global problems. By telling the story through my characters’ experiences rather than from an outsider’s perspective, I avoided exoticization.

For example, one of my main characters explores freedom through her own efforts, supported by her community, rather than being solely "rescued." This helps challenge the Western narrative that often portrays people in poverty or trafficking situations as passive victims. I also emphasized how trafficking is intertwined with larger systemic issues like generational poverty, which provides a more nuanced perspective.

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Karma and caste are significant elements in your novel. These belief systems contribute to the oppression of women in India. How did you address these issues, and what research did you conduct?

Puja Shah: No one deserves a lesser version of life. Unfortunately, karma is often misunderstood as a fixed destiny. Through my studies in yoga and meditation, I understand karma differently—as a call to act with integrity, which leads to our growth and betterment. When people believe in a rigid, predetermined destiny, it moves them away from compassion and self-improvement.

In my research on caste, I found arguments suggesting that caste became a more rigid system of control during British rule. I approached these themes by focusing on how my characters experienced them. How does it feel to be humiliated because of your caste? To question your destiny? To be seen as less than others? I wanted readers to walk in the characters’ shoes and feel their pain.  

The Power of Storytelling

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: Do you believe that a book can make a difference? What impact do you hope this novel will have?

Puja Shah: Absolutely. There are books that have changed my life—books that made me question what I thought I knew, feel the struggles of others, and take action. I hope my words reach readers’ hearts. Whatever that impact may be, it will be meaningful for them in that moment.

I’ve already had readers tell me how the book influenced them. One said she plans to work on a service project for trafficked girls in Nepal. Another reconnected with her estranged sister after being moved by the bond between Amla and Asya. These reactions—though different—are both rooted in connection. That’s why writers write: to connect with readers. Conversations can spark change, no matter how big or small. It’s all significant.
Puja Shah’s For My Sister is a deeply moving exploration of trafficking and the systemic issues that sustain it. With its February 9th release, the novel aims to inspire conversations about gender violence, generational poverty, and oppression. Through her work, Shah hopes to connect with readers and spark change in ways both personal and transformative.